Early Pheasant for Old Guys & Disabled Hunters

[salish]

Hi there,

There is an early season on both sides of the mountains for 65+ and disabled hunters. I'm primarily a quail/chukar/hun guy and rarely target roosters anymore, so I'm a little out of touch with them. The early season east side opens Sept. 19th-23rd. Where would one go to chase roosters on the early hunts, the various pheasant release sites? I've shied away from them in recent years because of so many hunter and related hunting pressure, but does WDFW release birds in these sites prior to the early season for oldsters and disabled hunters?

Thanks,
Cliff

[pianoman9701]

This may be helpful. https://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/02331

[metlhead]

Ft.Lewis

[509]

Last year was a TOTAL disaster for the geezer hunt in most of eastern Washington.  It looks like it will be WORSE this year, talking to rural friends.  There are NO birds.

Ft. Lewis and the release sites in western Washington are probably your best bet. 

There were NO releases in most areas of eastern Washington last year for the youth hunt due to COVID.  Leaving the geezers with no birds to shoot.

I have a young dog that I need to get on birds.  At this point, I am going to pay a hunt club to release birds for my dog.

[salish]

Thanks again, Guys. 509, thanks for your detailed response. Maybe I'll just pass on the whole idea of early roosters for geezers (love that!). I turned 68 this year and I'm slowing down quite a bit for chukar hunting so I thought I'd take advantage of this, but I'm really not much of a pheasant hunter anyway, I prefer covey birds for my setter. Thanks.

[rainshadow1]

The Sept 19-23 senior season could be a good bet if the State or Pheasants Forever released in the area you pick. Look up the local PF in the area you're thinking of and give them a call. I've been on the youth hunts working dogs and guiding kids a few times, there are quite a few birds left over, but they do scatter a little. Possible they'll save a few back for the senior season too. Doesn't hurt to ask.

(If they say, "They're going to do a youth hunt." in a certain site, you can bet there's several crates of pen birds involved!)

[salish]

The Sept 19-23 senior season could be a good bet if the State or Pheasants Forever released in the area you pick. Look up the local PF in the area you're thinking of and give them a call. I've been on the youth hunts working dogs and guiding kids a few times, there are quite a few birds left over, but they do scatter a little. Possible they'll save a few back for the senior season too. Doesn't hurt to ask.

(If they say, "They're going to do a youth hunt." in a certain site, you can bet there's several crates of pen birds involved!)

Good idea Rainshadow1, I'll check with PF. I appreciate your suggestions.

[Threewolves]

Yep it looks like they don't release for the 65 and older you're shooting leftovers from the youth hunt.

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[Threewolves]

Yep it looks like they don't release for the 65 and older you're shooting leftovers from the youth hunt.

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Which is okay by me

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[salish]

Yep it looks like they don't release for the 65 and older you're shooting leftovers from the youth hunt.

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Which is okay by me

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Thank you.

[509]

Yep it looks like they don't release for the 65 and older you're shooting leftovers from the youth hunt.

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Right....last year the Department and COE did NOT release birds for the youth hunt in southeast Washington. 

Don't know if they plan a release for the youth hunt this year.